Fluid management

Question 1

Total body water

Answer 1

42 l

Question 2

ECF volume

Answer 2

14 l

Question 3

ICF volume

Answer 3

28 l

Question 4

Plasma volume

Answer 4

3.5 l

Question 5

Main ion in ICF

Answer 5

K+

Question 6

Main ion in ECF

Answer 6

Na +

Question 7

What are ‘insensible fluid losses’ ?

Answer 7

Fluid losses which we are not aware, can’t be eliminated of:

• evaporations from the respiratory tract
• transepidermal diffusion and evaporation
• loss of pure water

Question 8

What are ‘sensible fluid losses’?

Answer 8

Can be seen/felt/measured

Question 9

Osmotic pressure

Answer 9

pressure needed to overcome/ reverse osmisis or

Ability of a solute to attract water

Question 10

Oncotic pressure

Answer 10

Pressure exerted by proteins (albumin) to draw water inwards (eg into a blood vessel)

Question 11

Hydrostatic pressure

Answer 11

Pressure of incompressible fluid (blood) in a sealed container (blood vessel)

Question 12

What forces are included in Starling’s forces?

Answer 12

Oncotic pressure

Hydrostatic pressure

Question 13

Osmolality

Answer 13

osmoles per kg of solvent

Question 14

What is normal plasma osmolality

Answer 14

280-305 mOsmol/kg

Question 15

Osmolarity

Answer 15

osmoles per litre of solvent

Question 16

Fluid resuscitation: when is it needed and what are the features suggesting it

Answer 16

Hypovolaemia
BP <100 
HR >90
Cap refil >2 
RR >20

Question 17

Fluid resuscitation protocol

Answer 17

500 ml crystalloid over <15 mins
up to total of 2000ml

If no improvement or signs of shock -> seek expert help

Question 18

Routine maintenance of fluid balance: what are body’s requirements for fluid?

Answer 18

25-30 ml/kg/d

Question 19

Routine maintenance of fluid balance: what are body’s requirements for Na+/K+/Cl-?

Answer 19

1mmol/kg/d

Question 20

Routine maintenance of fluid balance: what are body’s requirements for glucose?

Answer 20

50-100 g/d